Community members’ impassioned pleas reach few ears

Strong words at anti-violence forum reach few ears

Fred Slack of Akron sits with other area residents and listens to a group of speakers during a community-wide anti-violence forum at the Akron-Summit County Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, in Akron, Ohio. (Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal)

(From left) John Hafford II, program manager for Fame Fathers, Summit County Council member Tamela Lee, Akron City Council member Russ Neal and Santura Pegram, a community advocate from Miami, Florida, meet with area residents during a community-wide anti-violence forum at the Akron-Summit County Public Library on Wednesday, in Akron. Pegram's son, Santino Boddie was killed in April of 2012. (Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal)

Santura Pegram, a community advocate from Miami, Florida, watches a short video presentation with a small group of area residents during a community-wide anti-violence forum at the Akron-Summit County Public Library on Wednesday, in Akron. Pegram's son, Santino Boddie was killed in April of 2012. (Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal)

Fred Slack of Akron sits with other area residents and listens to a group of speakers during a community-wide anti-violence forum at the Akron-Summit County Public Library on Wednesday, in Akron. (Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal)